Tung Chee-hwa, who served as Hong Kong’s first chief executive and oversaw the 1997 return of the city to Chinese rule, has died.
The former vice-chairman of China’s top political advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), died at Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital on Tuesday at the age of 89, according to a statement from his office issued in the early hours on Wednesday.
“Mr Tung dedicated his life with an unwavering commitment to the service of the Nation and the Hong Kong SAR. His contributions with integrity, compassion, and dignity will be well remembered,” the statement read.
The office said Tung was surrounded by his loved ones when he died.
He was last seen in public in July 2021 when he attended the premiere of a film to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.
His office confirmed in October that year that Tung had undergone an operation for an undisclosed condition and was resting at home.